Salmonellae and other enteropathogenic bacteria in the intestines of wall geckos in Nigeria

The aerobic bacterial flora of the intestine of 150 wall geckos (Hemidactylus brookei) was investigated. A variety of bacteria was recovered including 35 isolates of Salmonella and several other species of Enterobacteriaceae, viz. Shigella sonnei—2, Edwardsiella tarda—4, Enterobacter spp—8, Citrobacter freundii—3, Serratia marcescens—3, Proteus spp—35, Klebsiella pneumoniae—13, and Escherichia coli—17, isolates. Eight Salmonella serotypes were identified, the predominant ones being S. hvittingfoss and S. typhimurium. The significance of these findings for the spread of human enteropathogens is discussed.